Sound Off

“Sound Off” is a forum to spur dialogue from residents of the many communities we serve on topics of interest in those communities. Fair game are comments that raise issues of note or amplify ongoing debates.

We will not publish comments that are potentially libelous, slanderous, vulgar or inappropriate. Publication of “Sound Off” comments is at the sole discretion of this newspaper.

“To my buddy Elwood: You have again distorted the facts on welfare. Although there are more whites on welfare than blacks, it is only because there are a lot more white people in this country. But here is the clincher, there is a much higher percentage of blacks on welfare than whites. You need to do some deeper research.”

-- Original Nick of Coatesville

“What we need is a real leader in the White House. What we have now is one who believes his own lies. Why do we put up this? We have a Constitution and Obama walks all over that when he wants to. Another one we do not need is Bill Clinton in the White House after the way he acted when he was president. If the president doesn’t like to abide by our Constitution then let him move out of the White House and move someplace else. We need to keep government out of our lives.”

-- Rachel of Thorndale

“To N.N. of Downingtown. You said you need assistance because you were injured. If it is job related, seek Workmens Comp. That’s what I did in my job and it pays much more than welfare. If you need welfare, go to the Chester County Assistance office in Thorndale. A friend of mine got help there. If you need emergency food, go to the Lord’s Pantry in Downingtown where you are a resident.”

-- Joy of Coatesville

“Monday morning, again I am awakened by some loud mustic somewhere between Romansville and Strasburg roads in West Bradford. I do not know who this person is but between 10:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. they like the sound of loud music, keeping us awake. Turn your music down. Have some respect.”

-- Sally of West Bradford

“I have been reading your paper for more than 25 years and have been reading Sound Off since its inception. It is interesting to see comments recently. We have a comment from Joy of Coatesville talking about race and knowing that a food cupboard gives more to whites. Then there is Rob talking about others implying comments were not racial, and N.N. of Downingtown not getting any welfare assistance because she is not a minority. And it goes on and on. I have a question. I thought that President Obama was supposed to bring us together. He has done more to divide us, making us more mean-spirited, more suspicious. I don’t think we are heading in the right direction. Maybe N.N. is right. It will be interesting to see if this makes Sound Off but the way things are looking, if you are a Muslim, it is like winning the lottery.”

-- Elle of West Chester

“To all of those people who are still distraught or upset about the last presidential election, I have a suggestion. Why don’t you just pack up your house, quit your job and move to Egypt, or Iran, or Iraq or Russia? Why don’t you move on? President Obama won. Instead of being concerned about this past election, which is over, focus your attention on the primary election next year. Get over it. Move on.”

-- Mindy of Coatesville

“In Sunday’s Sound off in regards to Elwood and others, too many people want to equate racism with welfare recipients and it is not the truth. There is racism in this country unfortunately and those who deny it have blinders on. However, on the basis of helping others in need, need is the operative word. We have become a society of wanting, not needing. We think because we want it and can’t afford it we are still entitled to it. That is the crux of what is happing in this country. You see, it used to be that when people were on welfare it was for a limited time. You got the help until you got back on your feet. Now it has become generational. We see people on TV bragging about getting the free stuff courtesy of the government and that rankles the taxpayers who are out there working and struggling to make ends meet while seeing somebody else, who seems perfectly capable of working, bragging about how they ‘get their stuff’ for free. So that is where the problem is in this country Mr. Dixon. We have to recognize the difference between true need and wanting.”

-- Sue of Caln

“Nationally, African-Americans have caused a distinct cultural divide in this past election and you cannot say it is not so. The divide had been healing. The African-Americans just about voted 100 percent for Obama simply because of race. Obama clearly is not qualified and his performance has shown it. Many fair-minded whites voted for him, but if all white voters voted against him, boy would the the other side endlessly being crying foul. Of course now they will not be denied this and call into Sound Off. I will be prepared. This is what dialogue in a column such as Sound Off is meant for.”

-- PJ of Westtown

“About people calling everyone dear or honey. Do not call strangers or customers that. It is way too personal. Very unprofessional. You don’t get my business.”

-- Danice of Valley

“The newly painted purple and pink store across from the Coatesville Towers makes me sick. The person in Coatesville who OK’d these awful paint jobs should be ashamed for allowing the city to go downhill even more. Need a laugh? Come to Coatesville.”

-- Barb of Coatesville

“In the Nov. 15 Daily Local News editorial regarding the election and triumph for minorities, it was written, ‘in reality these are victories for all Americans because they have come a few steps closer to living in the nation the Founding Fathers had envisioned 236 years ago, where all citizens are created equal.’ It is sad to see that two Chester County commissioners have not gotten the message. Intolerance of others is ugly yet this is what one sees when driving by the Chester County Courthouse during the holiday season. Unfortunately, Chester County is not in step with the nation, but is behind.”